Brandmayr P.1, Talarico F.2 2021. Study on behavioural ecology of Ditomus calydonius Rossi, 1790 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Ditomina), a strictly granivorous ground beetle with brood care // Russian Entomol. J. Vol.30. No.4: 455–467 [in English].
1 University of Calabria, Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, 87036 Rende (CS). Italy. E-mail: brandmayr@unical.it
2 Natural Museum and Botanical garden, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende (CS). Italy. E-mail: federica.talarico@unical.it
doi: 10.15298/rusentj.30.4.08
Abstract The ecology of Ditomus calydonius is investigated mainly in the field, to define the poorly known habitat choice, the seasonal and reproduction rhythm, the circadian activity rhythm, the relationships with the food plant, Daucus spp. and the nesting behaviour. After pitfall-trapping of 120 sites in Calabria, the preferred habitat is found in open land on clayey soil, where this species lives stenotopic especially on southern-aspect slopes. The population activity is remarkable for its late onset in the year (June), strictly nocturnal daily rhythm, possible intrahabitat micromigration from early flourishing Daucus plants to later ripening patches. Short data concerning foraging/feeding behaviour, shape of the only one nest found in nature and ability and time of flight are presented. Some data concerning laboratory behaviour and nesting have been added. Territorial combatative interaction between males, hitherto rarely observed in Carabidae, has discovered in this species for the first time.
KEY WORDS: habitat selection, phenology, reproduction rhythms, life cycles, brood care, subsocial behaviour.